No patch yet for zero day in Symantec Endpoint Protection software driver

A zero-day flaw in a software driver in Symantec's widely used Endpoint Protection product may be tricky to fix.

The flaw is contained in the Application and Device Control driver, which is in Endpoint Protection versions 11.x and 12.x, the security company wrote in an advisory on Wednesday.

The vulnerability in Endpoint Protection was found by training and penetration testing company Offensive Security, one of three it uncovered in the product during a recent penetration test of a financial services firm.

All are privilege escalation vulnerabilities, which would allow a user with restricted access to gain higher access on a computer, which could be parlayed into broader network access.

So far, no known compromises have been reported, Symantec said, writing that the medium severity flaw is being handled "with the utmost urgency and care."

Software drivers are not easy to upgrade. It wasn't clear if users will have to reinstall Endpoint Protection with an upgraded driver or if Symantec can issue a patch.

The disclosure comes as a researcher from Singapore security firm COSEINC warned antivirus programs frequently have security flaws, making the applications prime targets for attack due to their deep integration with a computer's operating system.

Mati Aharoni, lead trainer and developer for Offensive Security, said the company plans to preview proof-of-concept code for the Endpoint Protection flaw during its Advanced Windows Exploitation training class at the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas next month. Offensive Security published a video earlier this week demonstrating what it said was a successful attack.

Administrators have a few options to mitigate the risk in the meantime. Symantec published instructions for disabling the Application and Device Control driver in Endpoint Protection version 12.1. For those on versions 11.x, the Application and Device control policy can be disabled.

PCW Evaluation Team

Microsoft Office continues to make a student’s life that little bit easier by offering reliable, easy to use, time-saving functionality, while continuing to develop new features that further enhance what is already a formidable collection of applications

I need power and lots of it. As a Front End Web developer anything less just won’t cut it which is why the MSI GT75 is an outstanding laptop for me. It’s a sleek and futuristic looking, high quality, beast that has a touch of sci-fi flare about it.

Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of IDG Communications is prohibited. Copyright 2013 IDG Communications.
ABN 14 001 592 650. All rights reserved.